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Pirates begin series against hosting AstrosBaseball Betting Lines07/06/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Two of the bottom teams in the National League get together tonight when the Houston Astros host the Pittsburgh Pirates in game one of a three-game series at Minute Maid Park. The Astros, who finished fifth in the NL Central last season, occupy that spot again at the midway point this year, winning just 32 of their first 83 games while sitting 15 1/2 games off the pace of the first-place Cincinnati Reds. The Pirates, who were last in the six-team loop in 2009, are back in a familiar spot as well with just 30 wins in 82 tries, 1 1/2 games in back of the Astros and 17 behind the Reds. Astros lefty Wandy Rodriguez, a 14-game winner last season, can stretch his 2010 win streak to three games with a victory in tonight's assignment. The 31-year-old had never earned more than 10 wins in a season before emerging in 2009 and posting a 3.02 earned run average across 205 2/3 innings in 33 starts. He struggled from the outset this year, however, losing his initial two decisions in April as Houston was outscored, 8-0, and reaching 10 losses with a 9-3 interleague defeat against Texas on June 18. The two most recent outings have gone better, though, resulting in wins over San Francisco and Milwaukee on June 24 and 30, respectively, while he allowed just one earned run and 11 hits in 13 innings. Rodriguez improved his career record against the Pirates to 5-4 in their last meeting, scoring a 5-2 win on April 24 after he gave up five hits and one earned run in 7 1/3 innings. Pittsburgh sends rookie right-hander and Texas native Brad Lincoln to the mound for his sixth career start. The fourth overall selection in the 2006 draft and a product of the University of Houston, Lincoln debuted in the major leagues on June 9 with a six-inning outing in the Pirates' 7-5 loss at Washington. He lost twice and picked up two no-decisions in his initial four starts before breaking through for a win in his most recent outing, a 2-0 defeat of the Chicago Cubs in which he allowed four hits and struck out six in seven scoreless innings. Lincoln, who turned 25 in May, is holding opponents to a .277 batting average and is 1-1 in three road starts. On Sunday in Pittsburgh, Garrett Jones knocked in three runs and Delwyn Young struck a key blow with a pinch-hit two-run double as the Pirates used a late burst of offense to down Philadelphia, 8-5, in the finale of a four-game set. Pedro Alvarez homered and drove in two runs for the Pirates, who won three of four in the series. Evan Meek (4-2) picked up the win after hurling a perfect seventh inning in relief. Octavio Dotel, who picked up his 19th save, locked down all three Pittsburgh wins in this battle of Pennsylvania clubs. In San Diego, Tony Gwynn singled in the game-winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning to lift the Padres to a dramatic 3-2 win over Houston to finish off a four-game set. Brandon Lyon (5-3) suffered the loss after allowing the decisive run on two hits and three walks over 1 1/3 innings for Houston, which has dropped four out of six.
<< Wilson aims to pitch Rangers into win column vs. Indians
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - C.J. Wilson tries to get the Texas Rangers back on the winning track this evening when they resume their three-game series with the Cleveland Indians at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. Texas fell for the fourth time in its
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<< Red Sox go with Doubront versus Rays
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<< Snubbed Weaver takes the hill for Angels against White Sox
Phils go for another win over NL East-leading Braves >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The top of the National League East got a little tighter after the Phillies took yesterday's opener of a three-game series with the first-place Braves. Philadelphia will try to inch a little closer to the top spot
Cubs' Silva tries to put woes behind him in Arizona >>
Votto, Reds resume set with Mets >>
Brewers aim to rebound vs. Giants >>
Twins send Pavano to hill in Toronto >>
2007 NFL Football Betting Preview“You play to win the game!” Those are the words of notoriously intense head coach Herman Edwards. Unfortunately, from a bettors’ perspective, most coaches don’t feel that way about the NFL preseason. August is a time to evaluate young players, finalize the depth chart and pray your star players stay healthy. The trick to making money during the exhibition schedule is identifying coaches – like Edwards – who can’t stand losing even when there's nothing on the line. The New York Jets betting won 15 of 21 preseason games and went 14-7 against the spread (ATS) during Edwards’s five-year tenure with the club. In his first season as the Kansas City Chiefs field boss, the team improved from 0-4 to 2-2. Identifying win-a-holics like Edwards is a good start if you plan betting the preseason – even though most say you shouldn’t ... but what the hell do they know anyway? Here’s a brief rundown of two teams that have a habit of winning during the second-stringers’ season, and another club that has a good chance of exceeding this year. Playing in the media hub of North America can be stressful but the press can’t write anything negative about the way Tom Coughlin’s boys play in the preseason. The Giants won and covered all four games last summer, improving their record to 7-1 both straight up (SU) and against the spread over the last two years. Coughlin has shown he’s not afraid to give his starters more time in the second preseason game than most of his colleagues, no doubt one of the reasons his team has been so dominant. Bettors can count on America’s team early on. The Cowboys are 14-6 both SU and ATS since 2002 in warm-up contests. Former coach Bill Parcells, the coach of the team the last four years, has an intimidating, in-your-face presence – surely a reason Dallas has had so much early success. The Big Tuna won’t be strolling the sidelines with looks of disgust, but new coach Wade Phillips will be anxious to make a good first impression for owner Jerry Jones. Dallas plays the Indianapolis Colts and the Denver Broncos before things get serious. They then face the Houston Texans in their third contest (the game starters see most game time) and finish off with the Minnesota Vikings. Expect a Dallas team able to walk away with another 3-1 preseason record. This team scored a league-worst 12 offensive touchdowns last season, so the rookies and veterans each have something to prove. There’s a bounty of first-unit jobs up for grabs and plenty of bodies competing for those slots. First-time head coach Lane Kiffin will be eager to impress an owner who employs the philosophy, “Just win, baby!” The 32-year-old Kiffin has to command respect from a locker room full of players older than him. All of these factors should lead to purpose in preseason. Don’t forget: before playing like a team that belonged in NFL Europe, Oakland went 4-1 (both SU and ATS) in exhibition games. To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your football wagering needs. Mysportsbook.com online sportsbook accepts Visa and Mastercard credit cards. |
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